German midfielder Gross, Albion’s undisputed player of the year, fittingly hit his seventh goal of the season to take the Seagulls to the magic 40-point mark.

In the 56th minute Jose Izquierdo skipped past Matteo Darmian and stood a cross up towards the far post.

David De Gea pushed the ball up onto the head of Gross and although Marcos Rojo hooked it clear from underneath the crossbar, goalline technology confirmed it had crossed the line.

Marcos Rojo (right) fails to prevent the ball from crossing the line

Chris Hughton’s side can now look forward to another season in the top flight having assured they are mathematically safe ahead of trips to Manchester City and Liverpool.

“Normally when you win this type of game it’s because you’ve played at a good level and United haven’t, maybe your keeper has to make some good saves and they’ve missed some chances,” said Hughton.

“But they didn’t have a clear-cut chance in 90 minutes, and Maty Ryan only had to make a couple of decent saves. We were good value for the win. That’s almost as important. It’s given us Premier League survival.

“So it’s a relief that we’ve done it now, but I’m also really proud of a group of players.”